My name is Wei Qing, and I want to fight the Xiongnu.

Chapter Twelve: The Ghostly White Emperor's Son

Xiahou Ying didn't care whether Wei Qing could understand or not, and continued to tell the secrets of the past: "Since the Xiuxin Pavilion was closed, there has been no more turmoil until two hundred years ago when the Xiongnu barbarians entered the Imperial Academy."

They must have learned of Han Xin's whereabouts from Zhongxing Shuo, and thus tried every means to enter Xiuxin Pavilion.

Even if these people didn't say it, I guess they just wanted to release Han Xin, whether to persuade him to surrender to the Xiongnu barbarians or to cause trouble in the human world.

Their expectations were beautiful, but they never imagined that Zhang Liang, the Marquis of Liu, hadn't actually been traveling the world; instead, he had gone underground to guard Han Xin and had directly killed the Xiongnu barbarian students and their guards.

"I have a question for you, my nephew. Why did you choose to stay in the Xiuxin Pavilion instead of the Xiuxin Pavilion?"

Wei Qing couldn't understand it. If Zhang Liang was in charge of the Xiuxin Pavilion, who would dare to force their way in?

When Xiahou Ying heard Wei Qing's question, he did not answer directly, but said in a barely audible voice, "Empress Lü conferred the title of king."

Empress Lü was granted the title of king?

To enfeoff a king of a different surname? To enfeoff a member of the Lü family as a king of a different surname?

What does this have to do with Zhang Liang?

Xiahou Ying didn't want to talk too much about this issue. He couldn't very well say that Zhang Piqiang was only fifteen years old when he gave Empress Lü advice on enfeoffing the Lü clan, while Zhang Liang was still living in the Xiuxin Pavilion, cultivating his mind and character.

"You'll find out later anyway, there's no need to think about it now. In any case, after Marquis Liu Zhang Liang killed that group of Xiongnu barbarians, news of hauntings spread again about Xiuxin Pavilion. However... however, this time there really was an extra ghost in Xiuxin Pavilion."

"An extra ghost? There really is a ghost!?"

Wei Qing was shocked. It was a lie fabricated by Prime Minister Xiao before, but he never expected that the lie would come true in the end?

Xiahou Ying nodded in agreement, saying, "That's right, there really is a ghost, and this ghost has been occupying the Cultivation Pavilion for two hundred years."

"Then...why not suppress that ghost? Is it possible that even Prime Minister Xiao couldn't do anything about it?"

"It's not that we can't do anything about it, it's just... we can't suppress it."

"No, could it be that...that ghost has a special identity?"

This was the only explanation Wei Qing could think of. The fact that the ghost could be suppressed but wasn't, allowing it to occupy the Cultivation Pavilion, could only mean that the ghost's origins were unusual.

Xiahou Ying smiled wryly and said, "That ghost's origins are indeed extraordinary. Do you know that His Majesty started the rebellion after slaying the white snake?"

"I've heard of it. Uncle Cao told me before that when His Majesty was preparing to rebel against the tyrannical Qin Dynasty, he was blocked by a white snake. His Majesty wielded the Crimson Sky Sword and killed the white snake. He also said that the white snake was the son of the White Emperor, and His Majesty was the son of the Crimson Emperor... Uncle, you don't mean to say that the ghost... was the son of the White Emperor?"

"You guessed right, it really is the White Emperor's Son. After the White Emperor's Son died, his soul did not perish and he became a ghost. He originally wanted to seek revenge on His Majesty, but His Majesty was not in the human realm, so he stayed in the palace and wandered around. Later, after something happened at the Cultivation Pavilion, the White Emperor's Son left the palace and took over the Cultivation Pavilion."

The spiritual energy in the Cultivation Pavilion is extremely rich, even surpassing that of the imperial palace, making it ideal for ghosts to repair their souls. Do you think Xiao He would dare to suppress this being?

It's true that the palace is rich in spiritual energy, but the palace is too large, unlike the Cultivation Pavilion, which is about the same size as the martial arts training ground.

The White Emperor's son was killed by the Red Emperor's son. That was a contest between the emperors' sons. If he lost, it was because he was not skilled enough.

However, if Xiao He were to intervene to suppress it, even if they had the strength, they wouldn't be able to act due to too many concerns.

If Bai Di is dragged into this, then we'll be in big trouble.

Furthermore, letting Bai Dizi occupy Xiuxin Pavilion is a good thing, as it's like adding another lock to Han Xin's prison.

This way, no one would dare to enter, and there would be no worry that any humans or Xiongnu barbarians would have any wicked ideas against Han Xin.

"Then... Uncle, if I enter the Cultivation Pavilion, will the White Emperor kill me?"

"do not know."

Xiahou Ying bluntly said, "After the White Emperor's son turned into a ghost, he became unpredictable. It wouldn't be surprising if he really tried to kill you."

Wei Qing's lips twitched a few times. "Uncle, can't we be a little more reliable?"

Luckily, I came over in advance to ask, otherwise, if I had really run into that White Emperor's son with a bad temper, I would have been devoured alive and had nowhere to cry.

"Then... just how strong is the White Emperor's son?"

Xiahou Ying glanced at Wei Qing: "He's a little weaker than me now. You should be able to deal with him with just a breath."

Wei Qing has a toothache.

Why don't you play it safe and develop your strength first, and then go find Han Xin after you've forged your body to the heights of the sun, moon, and stars?

Otherwise, the risk would be too great!

No wonder they let me stay at the Cultivation Pavilion; they were clearly up to no good.

Seeing Wei Qing hesitate, Xiahou Ying sneered inwardly, "Now you know fear, huh? If I don't give you some tough medicine, you'll cause a huge mess later."

Xiahou Ying thought again, this kid came to find me as soon as he learned about the Cultivation Pavilion, and sure enough, his recklessness was all just a facade.

Then consider Cao Can, who appears honest but is actually treacherous—a big cunning guy leading a little cunning guy.

Xiahou Ying is now starting to have doubts about whether Wei Qing is Cao Can's illegitimate son. There are a lot of questions surrounding this!

Seeing that Wei Qing was frightened, Xiahou Ying then said, "You can go if you want, but you will probably get injured, but you shouldn't die."

Wei Qing's face darkened. "Uncle, do you dare to remove 'should'?"

Xiahou Ying smiled and said, "Don't worry, they saw your performance at the Imperial Academy gate that day. As long as you don't cause any trouble, the White Emperor's daughter shouldn't try to kill you. Even if she does, Han Xin should stop her."

No matter what, you were recommended by Cao Can. Han Xin and Cao Can had a good relationship and fought side by side for many years. They wouldn't refuse to help with something as small as this.

Even if Han Xin is imprisoned, dealing with a martial artist like me is no problem, especially with Zhang Liang left behind; he won't stand idly by.

That was barely sensible. After thinking it over, Wei Qing figured he probably wouldn't die, and as for getting injured... he was used to it by now.

At worst, I'll have to stay in bed for a few months. As long as I'm not completely ruined, I can always recover.

After thinking it through, Wei Qing bid farewell to Xiahou Ying, saying, "Thank you for your explanation, Uncle."

"Have you made a decision?"

Wei Qing took a deep breath and said, "It's done. Let's go take a look."

"Go ahead... Although you've entered the Martial Arts Department, it's best to focus on martial arts command. By the way, try to use your Eagle Double Flight technique less often in the future... Even if it's not an external body, splitting yourself in two for too long can easily lead to problems."

Xiahou Ying was somewhat suspicious, but Wei Qing had no reason to come into contact with either the Star Body or the River of Time.

So no matter how much you doubt, it's useless, unless you cut Wei Qing open to study him, but then Wei Qing would definitely die.

Given Wei Qing's current talent, as long as he doesn't betray the human race, even if he truly possesses an external body, no one would dare to capture him for research.

Chapter Thirteen: Empress Lü Takes Action

After leaving the Marquis of Ruyin's residence, Wei Qing headed straight for the Martial Arts Academy.

He had to prepare in advance, so he first sought out Cao Ying and asked him to prepare a life-saving elixir so that he could be saved in time if he was unfortunately seriously injured.

They also invited a renowned doctor to oversee things outside. Since injuries are inevitable when martial artists spar and compete, some martial arts academies also house many highly skilled physicians.

Before long, Cao Ying, accompanied by an elderly physician, headed towards the Xiuxin Pavilion.

When the old doctor heard that Wei Qing planned to study at the Heart Pavilion, he hurriedly tried to dissuade him. Cao Ying was also surprised and asked why.

The old doctor seemed to know something. He explained, "Rumor has it that there are ghosts in Xiuxin Pavilion. It would be dangerous for Young Master Wei to enter rashly, especially since it is nighttime and even more dangerous."

Cao Ying frowned: "Ghosts? Isn't the Cultivation Pavilion inside the Imperial Academy? Are there ghosts inside the Imperial Academy?"

"I've only heard about it, and I don't know the specifics. In the past, many students who tried to force their way into the Imperial Academy were killed by the ghosts inside."

As they were chatting, they finally arrived outside the Xiuxin Pavilion, where Wei Qing had been waiting for quite some time.

It was already dark by then, and with the help of the dim moonlight, Wei Qing could vaguely make out the entire view of the pavilion.

The Xiuxin Pavilion has nine floors from the outside. Its style is simple and grand, without too much decoration. Standing there, it looks more like a pillar of stability.

Whether it was psychological or something else, Wei Qing felt that the area outside the Cultivation Pavilion was shrouded in eerie ghostly energy.

Wei Qing turned to Cao Ying and said, "Brother Cao, I'll trouble you to keep watch for me tonight. If I haven't come out by dawn, then go in and rescue me."

Wei Qing felt he wouldn't die, but if he was seriously injured and fell into a coma, someone would have to come to his rescue.

Cao Ying scratched his head, thinking that if you were really in danger, your body would probably be cold by dawn.

"Don't overthink it. Xiuxin Pavilion has servants to clean it on weekdays, so there shouldn't be any danger during the day. But if I encounter danger at night, you'll just be throwing your lives away if you go in. You might as well wait."

Although there would be no danger during the day, Wei Qing estimated that he would have to stay in the Cultivation Pavilion for a long time in the future, so he would have to deal with the White Emperor's son every day.

Since that's the case, it's better to get in touch with them beforehand so that we can make a better response.

Cao Ying nodded and said, "Okay, I understand."

If you've confessed everything you need to, and you've already confessed everything, then you can only say you're unlucky.

After repeatedly reaffirming his resolve, Wei Qing strode to the front of the Cultivation Pavilion with three knives, took out a jade pendant, which was the key to the Cultivation Pavilion.

To prevent accidental entry and potential injuries or fatalities, Xiuxin Pavilion is restricted and sealed off except during special times.

Wei Qing gently placed the jade pendant outside the Xiuxin Pavilion. A dangerous force flowing on the surface slowly dissipated, forming a door for people to come and go.

After opening the door, Wei Qing tossed the jade pendant to Cao Ying, asking him to keep it safe.

He strode forward, pushed open the door of the Cultivation Pavilion, and a cold wind blew out from inside.

In the dim light, Wei Qing could vaguely see a figure with eyes that gleamed with a dark, eerie green light, waiting for its prey to walk into its trap.

Wei Qing drew his wood-chopping knife, took a deep breath, and his expression turned extremely cold and solemn.

As soon as I stepped into the pavilion, another gust of cold wind blew through, and the previously open door slammed shut with a "bang".

Before Wei Qing could react, ghostly energy from all directions instantly enveloped him.

The body's abundant qi and blood are being continuously drawn away.

What the hell?

Wei Qing was going crazy; he could clearly feel the life force draining from his body.

The other party didn't even say a word, yet they wanted to eat me!?

Just as Wei Qing was trapped in a dead end, he heard a middle-aged man's soft shout intermittently.

Subsequently, Wei Qing's vital energy was completely drained. His body could no longer hold on, and he closed his lifeless eyes, collapsing weakly to the ground, his fate unknown.

At the same time, inside the palace, Empress Lü rose and tore through the void, and a phantom descended into the Xiuxin Pavilion.